⚠️⚠️ Content Advisory: Contains Sensitive Content – Viewer Discretion Advised. ⚠️⚠️
Retaliation: Playbook Tactics
Did You Know?
Oftentimes, higher education institutions in the United States of America (i.e., colleges and universities) will use what are called “playbook” tactics to get victims to go away.
These tactics are especially prevalent when dealing with Title IX* Complaints. Complainants**, or victims, are retaliated against via these playbook tactics daily.
*While sex discrimination is illegal at all educational institutions in the U.S.A. (see below), BaEZelevates focuses on the prevalence of Title IX cases in higher education institutions in the United States of America.
**Complainant is the federal term for victims in Title IX cases. The term Complainant is defined here in 34 C.F.R. § 106.2.
Quick Fact!
In the context of Title IX, these retaliation tactics are directly violating federal law!
Specifically, retaliation in Title IX cases directly violates 34 C.F.R. § 106.71.
The Difference Between Title IX & 34 C.F.R. §106
Naturally, you may question the difference between Title IX and 34 C.F.R. §106. I hope I can clarify the difference with the below:
- Title IX Of The Education Amendments Of 1972, or Title IX for short, is a Congress-enacted law that essentially says that sex discrimination is illegal at all educational institutions in the United States of America (which includes, but is not limited to, those who provide higher education) that receive federal funding (financial aid, or Title IV funds).
- 34 C.F.R. §106 is the federal law that explains how institutions must comply and what methods they need to use to effectuate Title IX Compliance.
In other words, think of Title IX as saying what is not allowed and 34 C.F.R. §106 as saying how to comply with the rules.
We can also think of it as 34 C.F.R. §106 being the transcript – it shows the classes we took to get our degree; Title IX is the diploma, or the “summarization,” of the courses we took on one sheet of paper. Granted, Title IX is more than one page – even still, I think you get the point! 🙂
“Starve Them Out”
As of January 9, 2026, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System is remaining engaged in the “starve him out” tactic with me – this tactic is where institutions remain silent when Complainants attempt to correspond with them regarding Complaints they set forth in an effort to get them to go away. The hope with the “starve them out” tactic is that victims will run out of resources or lose patience – this is just a liability mitigation tactic. Institutions hate paying out money and will go to virtually any length to avoid paying out!
DARVO
There is another tactic that lives in the retaliation playbook: DARVO. In the near future, I will be releasing an eBook on the tactics these institutions pull in detail. Please enjoy the “preview” of my future eBook at the bottom of this page that briefly covers DARVO, which stands for:
- Deny
- Attack
- Reverse Victim and Offender
DARVO was coined in the late 1990s by Dr. Jennifer Freyd (her surname is pronounced “Fried,” like “fried foods”). She is known for her work in Betrayal Trauma Theory, whose framework DARVO falls under.
In this podcast, Grief & Trauma Therapist Dr. Melissa Ming Foynes and Dr. Jennifer J. Freyd discuss DARVO. Directly below are a few links to more information about DARVO, including Dr. Foynes’ article that discusses DARVO and introduces the podcast.
- Dr. Foynes – DARVO Article (in conjunction with Dr. Freyd) – introduces the above podcast
- The DARVO acronym is described in depth starting at the 20:05 mark.
- Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) Education™ (cites Dr. Freyd)